Shock-absorber for footwear



'0." H. SHAMO.

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR FOOTWEAR.

A'PPLICATION HLEO AUG.|6| l9l8.

1,332,070. I Patented Feb. 24,1920. 4

CHARLES H. SHAMO, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SHOCK-ABSORBER FGR FOOTWEAR.

T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. SHAMO,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and- State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shock-Absorbers for Footwear, of which the following is a speci-.

fication.

This invention relates to shock absorbers to be used in conjunction with footwear, such asshoes, boots, or the like, the object in view being to provide a shock absorber or cushion which may be conveniently and quickly placed in the heel portion of a shoe and removed therefrom when no longer needed, the device being designed to absorb the shocks and vibrations incident to walking in case of tired or weary feet and the so called fallen arches. The device is designed to take the place of arch supports and also rubber heels and other devices heretofore employed for relieving the shock of walking. The device is also adapted to alleviate pain and will eliminate the swelling incident to inflammatory rheumatism.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a shoe showing the improved shock absorber in its applied relation thereto.

F ig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the shock absorber.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the same.

The improved shock absorber comprises in the preferred embodiment thereof, a bed plate 1 which may be of any suitable material, size, or other dimensions, but which should be of comparatively stiff material.

Secured to the under side of the bed plate 1 is a transversely extending spring designated generally at a, and comprising a plurality of leaves 2 and 3, arranged in reinforcing relation to each other and of different degrees of resiliency, so that said leaves will be brought successively into operation according to the load imposed thereon. The end portions of the leaves are deflected or curved in ogee-formation as shown and are adapted to ride one upon the other. The leaves of the spring immediately adjacent to he bed plate 1 extend a to their length,

Specification cf Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

Application filed August 16, 1918. Serial No. 250,168.

' transversely of the bed plate and are fixedly secured along their central portions to said bed plate by fastening means '4.-,,such as clencher tacks, rivets, or the like. I

In conjunction with and'n complemental relation to the spring a, I also employ another orauxiliary spring 6, which is also made up of a plurality of leaves 5 and 6, of

the same'general shape as the lea esiof the spring a, the spring 1) extending as to its length at a right angle'to the spring a, or

longitudinally of the bedplate. A common rivet or other fastener 7 is inserted centrally through both of the leaf springs a and b and also the bed plate 1, thereby securing all of the parts firmly together.

Superimposed upon the bed plate 1 is a cushion piece 8 of leather or similar material, the same conforming to the general shape of the bed plate but extending in advance thereof where its edge is chamfered or skived to a feathered edge 9 as shown, enabling said' cushion to conform to the shape of the sole of the shoe. A pad 10 of felt or a similar material is superimposed upon the cushion 8 and may be cemented or otherwise united thereto.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will now be seen that the shock absorber may be easily placed in a shoe or boot and removed therefrom, and when in place, it will flexibly and resiliently support the heel andinstep and absorb all ordinary shocks and vibrations incident to Walking or running. It will be found a great relief to tired or weary feet and to persons suffering from what is known as fallen arches. By alleviating the pain of walking, the device will eliminate the swelling incident to inflammatory rheumatism, and other ailments. The device may, of course, be made in various sizes to suit the sizes of the shoes in connection with which they are used. The springs may be made of different lengths and stifi'- ness according to the weight to be imposed thereon.

The rivet or fastening device which secures the springs to the bottom of the bed plate and the holes through the springs to receive said rivet or fastening device are non-circular in cross section so as to prevent any turning movement of the springs in relation to the bed plate.

I do not desire to be limited to the use of combination of a heeljshaped bed plate, and

the particular spring arrangement hereinabove described, it being evident that the springs may consist of single leaves instead of two or more leaves each. .It is also practicable to use a single sprinm or,in other Words, a spring of cruciform shape having laterally projecting and longitudinally proje'ctinn portions. 4 7

I claim: s

1. In a device'of th'e class specified, the combination of a bed plate, an arched spring extending transversely of the bottom of said bed late, another arched spring extending longitiidinally of the bottom of said bed plate, said springs being of different heights and anselementsecuring the springs tothe bed plate. I

V 2. In a device of the class specified, the

a plurality of arched springs of different heights secured to the bottomof said bed plate and extending at a right angle to each other, said springs consisting of leaves acting successively in complemental relation to each other. v r

3. In a device of the class specified, the combination of a heel shaped bedplate', and a plurality of arched springs of different heights secured'to the bottom of said bed plate and extending at a right angle to each other, said springsconsisting of leaves acting successively in complemental relation'to each other, said bed plate having one end portion curved downwardly to engage the insole of a shoe. r

V In testimony WhereofI afiix my signature. 7

CHARLES n. snAMo;* 

